Homemade gifts in a jar have become very popular gifts; they are inexpensive, decorative, and handy for busy people. Use them as individual gifts or place in your homemade gift baskets. They are great gifts for teachers, coworkers, as well as family and friends.
In addition to baked goods, soups, and beverage mixes, homemade salsa is a nice alternative. At
Great Salsa
you will find a large variety of salsa recipes.
New glass jars can be purchased at many supermarkets, department stores, and hardware stores. If you are a Good Will or yard sale person, keep an eye out for used jars. When reusing jars, wash them well in hot soapy water and dry thoroughly. If the jars have labels, dampen a clean cloth in warm white vinegar and lay it on the label. It will take 15-20 minutes before you can remove the label.
Below are three pages at this website that are all related to gifts in jars or bottles:
Cut an eight inch square from heavy gift wrap, a heavy paper napkin, fabric, netting, paper doily, or tulle.
Place this square over the top of a finished jar gift.
Secure with a large rubber band to hold the square in place.
Cut ribbon, raffia, or twine long enough to wrap around the jar with extra length to tie a bow.
Attach a label to the jar noting the contents of the jar.
If the jar contains a food mix, hand write the completion directions on a recipe card, punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the card, and thread the ribbon, raffia, or cord through the hole before tieing the bow.
Option: add a small decorative item to the bow...cookie cutter, measuring spoons, ornament, etc.
Second Suggestion:
Lay the jar lid on heavy gift wrap, a heavy paper napkin, fabric, netting, or tulle.
Cut a circle two inches larger than the lid (two inches all around).
Place only the flat lid on the jar; center the circle you cut out on top of the lid; screw the ring part of the lid on the jar.
Cut ribbon, raffia, or twine long enough to wrap around the jar with extra length tie a bow.
Attach a label to the jar noting the contents of each of the homemade gifts in a jar.
If the jar contains a food mix, hand write the completion directions on a recipe card, punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the card, and thread the ribbon, raffia, or cord through the hole before tieing the bow.
Option: add a small decorative item to the bow...cookie cutter, measuring spoons, ornament, etc.
Third Suggestion:
Wrap each of the homemade gifts in a jar with heavy gift wrap, fabric, netting, tulle, cellophane, or layered tissue paper (either round or square).
Place the jar in the center; bring it up on all sides so it extends above the jar; finish with a tie and bow around the lid.
Attach a label to the jar noting the contents of the jar.
If the jar contains a food mix, hand write the completion directions on a recipe card, punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the card, and thread the ribbon, raffia, or cord through the hole before tieing the bow.
Option: add a small decorative item to the bow...(cookie cutter, measuring spoons, ornament, etc.
Fourth Suggestion:
Glue artificial fruit, flowers, or leaves on the top of the lid; tie with cord or raffia.
Attach a label to homemade gifts in a jar noting the contents.
If the jar contains a food mix, hand write the completion directions on a recipe card, punch a hole in the upper left hand corner of the card, and thread the ribbon, raffia, or cord through the hole before tying the bow.
